Assessor to seek contracts for GIS services after prolonged vacancy

Sweetwater County commissioners on March 4 authorized the county assessor to solicit bids for contracted geographic information system (GIS) services to maintain the county’s public map server.

Assessor Dave Divas told the board the in-house GIS position has been vacant and the last open recruitment for the role took more than nine months. "The public uses this map server — banks, realtors, insurance companies — it's a fantastic tool, but it's only good if the information is up to date and it's accurate," Divas said. He and department counterparts proposed contracting out the work rather than hire a full‑time employee; routine, day‑to‑day maintenance would be included in the contract and special projects would be paid hourly.

Divas said some parcel splits and combinations are currently not reflected on the public map server and that resolving more complex legal descriptions and polygons requires research and access to recording‑department records, an advantage for a local contractor. He recommended that the assessor’s office manage the contract and process department project requests through that office. The assessor noted the intent is to pursue local vendors first but to accept out‑of‑county bids if necessary.

Commissioner Robert Slaughter asked how the service would be funded; Divas said routine contract costs would be budgeted in the assessor’s professional-services line item and that, in the worst case, a budget amendment might be needed. Land use director Eric Bingham said his department may also have carryover and personnel savings that could cover project work.

Commissioner Richards moved and Commissioner John Jones seconded a motion to authorize the assessor’s office to go out to bid for GIS contract services. The motion passed unanimously.

Staff said they will work with county legal counsel to prepare solicitation documents and pursue contracts; any needed budget adjustments will be brought to the commission.